CD sales rise as Gen Z shows signs of AI fatigue

Compact disc (CD) sales are showing signs of a resurgence, outpacing vinyl growth in the United States during the first half of the year. According to a Luminate mid-year report, CD sales increased by over 16 percent, while vinyl grew by only 2.4 percent. A significant portion of this spike is attributed to K-pop releases, though the format saw a 6.7 percent increase even excluding that genre.

This trend coincides with a broader cultural shift among Gen Z consumers, who are exhibiting signs of AI fatigue and a preference for tangible experiences. Data from Gallup indicates that while 51 percent of Gen Z uses generative AI weekly, enthusiasm for the technology is declining. Among Gen Z workers, 48 percent believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, and 69 percent express higher trust in work completed without AI assistance.

Observers note that the rise in physical media, including CDs and the return of wired headphones and ‘dumb phones,’ may reflect a desire to disconnect from digital saturation and seek more human, authentic interactions.